Spin With Class

It’s a simple formula: Start with a musical instrument controller, throw in songs even your dog knows, and you’ve got a million-selling video game. Activision’s DJ Hero (Xbox 360/PS3/Wii) follows the recipe—but throws in the beats. DJH’s intimidating turntable controller is actually easy to wield, with a three-button setup similar to Guitar Hero’s. But this time the descending lines on-screen aren’t note values but separate tracks: Slide the fader all the way left and dig on the Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow”; move it all the way to the right and get Benny Benassi’s “Satisfaction”; rest it in the middle and you’ll hear a mix of the two. Scratch with the turntable and you’ve got a DJ game that isn’t far from the real thing—minus the annoying requests and drinks spilled on your dust jackets. If you tire of cueing up the pop, rock, electronica, R&B, and third-wave freak-folk jams, let DJH play itself—its “Party Play” mode doubles as an emergency playlist. With 100-plus tracks, the rager won’t get shut down soon. Next up: Klezmer Hero! $120, djhero.com